Nooooooo! That's what causes all the (false) issues. The uniform instruction (and local instructions) are what governs you, not random O-1s who don't know what they don't know (Marines included). Wear the damn thing if it's cold. Don't wear it during the summer. Don't wear it out of uniform (at least around town...if you're back home, who cares). But it's yours to wear, just like brown shoes.
You guys are making this way harder than it has to be.
I don't know what a "skipper of API" is, but NASC CO is a post-command CO, just like you, who has also picked up Major Command. I wouldn't call it a non-hacker. Just a different path on the way to O-6 retirement.
I get the intent of your post, but keep in mind the the younger ones don't necessarily understand the difference between an OIC (if that's even what it is) and a CO.